Case for tobacco and other smokable products

ABSTRACT

A case for tobacco and other smokable products is provided. The case may include a body which defines an elongated cavity. The elongated cavity may extends lengthwise into the body from an opening at a top surface of the body. The body may include a power source, an electric heating element disposed at a bottom of the elongated cavity, and a user interface element at the top surface. The user interface element may be configured to selectively cause the power source to activate the electric heating element. The case may also include a top which may be hingedly coupled with the body at an edge of the top surface such that when the top is rotated to a closed position the top surface of the body is inaccessible to a user, and when the top is rotated to an open position the top surface is accessible to the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/487,535, filed Apr. 20, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tobacco and other smokable products are regularly rolled into cylindrical tube shapes using paper for final consumption by a user. These cylindrical tubes are commonly referred to as cigarettes. The smokable product within the cylindrical tube may be smoked by a user by lighting one end of the cylindrical tube with a lighter and then pulling air through the cylindrical tube with their mouth at the other end. A lighter fueled by a flammable liquid substance such as butane is typically employed. This process means a user will typically carry both the smokable product, perhaps in original product packaging or in a protective case, as well as a lighter. This can be cumbersome, especially when discreteness is desired, or pocket space is at a premium. Additionally, odors from the product may easily escape from such packaging or case. Embodiments of the invention provide solutions to these and other problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a case for tobacco and other smokable products is provided. The case may include a body and a top. The body may define a first elongated cavity. The first elongated cavity may extend lengthwise into the body from a first opening at a top surface of the body. The body may include a power source, an electric heating element disposed at a bottom of the first elongated cavity, and a user interface element at the top surface, where the user interface element is configured to selectively cause the power source to activate the electric heating element. The top may be hingedly coupled with the body proximate to an edge of the top surface such that when the top is rotated to a closed position the top surface of the body is inaccessible to a user, and when the top is rotated to an open position the top surface of the body is accessible to the user.

In another embodiment, a case for tobacco and other smokable products is provided. The case may include a body and a top. The body may define a first elongated cavity. The first elongated cavity may extend lengthwise into the body from a first opening at a top surface of the body. The body may include a power source, an electric heating element disposed at a bottom of the first elongated cavity, a user interface element at the top surface, and a circuitry component configured to cause the power source to activate the electric heating element upon a user activating the user interface element. The top may be hingedly coupled with the body proximate to an edge of the top surface such that when the top is rotated to a closed position the top surface of the body is inaccessible to the user, and when the top is rotated to an open position the top surface of the body is accessible to the user.

In another embodiment, a case for tobacco and other smokable products is provided. The case may include a body and a top. The body may define a first elongated cavity and a second elongated cavity, distinct from the first elongated cavity. The first elongated cavity may extend lengthwise into the body from a first opening at a top surface of the body. The second elongated cavity may extend lengthwise into the body from a second opening at the top surface of the body. The body may include a rechargeable power source, an electric heating element disposed at a bottom of the first elongated cavity, a user interface element at the top surface, and a recharging interface at the top surface and coupled with the rechargeable power source. The user interface element may be configured to selectively cause the rechargeable power source to activate the electric heating element. The top may be hingedly coupled with the body proximate to an edge of the top surface such that when the top is rotated to a closed position the top surface of the body is inaccessible to the user, and when the top is rotated to an open position the top surface of the body is accessible to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are described in conjunction with the appended figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a case for tobacco and other smokable products having a lower body and a top at the upper portion thereof in an open position, according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the case of FIG. 1 with the top in a closed position; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of operable components of one example embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

For example, any detail discussed with regard to one embodiment may or may not be present in all contemplated versions of that embodiment. Likewise, any detail discussed with regard to one embodiment may or may not be present in all contemplated versions of other embodiments discussed herein. Finally, the absence of discussion of any detail with regard to any embodiment herein shall be an implicit recognition that such detail may or may not be present in any version of any embodiment discussed herein.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, components, and other elements of various embodiments of the invention may be shown as components in block diagram form, or otherwise without unnecessary detail, in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1 illustrates a case 100 for tobacco and other smokable products, according to embodiments of the present invention. Case 100 may include a body 102 and a top 104. Body 102 and top 104 may be coupled to each other by a hinge 108. Though a barrel hinge is shown in FIG. 1, any other type of hinge may be employed. In other embodiments, hinge 108 may not be present, and top 104 may be coupled to body 102 using other means, such as, for example, an interference fit. In these and other like embodiments, top 104 may thus be removable from body 102.

Hinge 108 may allow top 104 to rotate between a closed position and an open position with respect to a top surface 110 of body 102. For example, top 104 may be in a closed position when the bottom edge of top 104 is in contact with a periphery of top surface 110. The perimeter where top 104 and top surface 110 meet may therefore be described as the interface 106 therebetween. When top 104 is in a closed position, top surface 110 may thus be inaccessible to a user. On the other hand, when top 104 is in an open position, top surface 110 may therefore be accessible to a user.

Top surface 110 may include one or more openings, such as, in this example, first opening 118 and second opening 122. In other embodiments, three, four, five, or any greater particular number of additional openings may be present. First opening 118 and second opening 122 may provide access to corresponding distinct cavities (here, first cavity 120 and second cavity 124) configured to receive elongated cylindrical tobacco or other smokable products, such as cigarettes, etc. While in this embodiment the elongated cavities may be physically distinct from each other (i.e., separated), in other embodiments the cavities may connect with each other within body 102 so as to be in spatial communication with each other.

First opening 118 may allow a smokable product to be placed in first elongated cavity 120 within body 102, and second opening 122 may allow a smokable product to be placed in second elongated cavity 124 within body 102. First elongated cavity 120 may therefore extend lengthwise into body 120 from first opening 118 at top surface 110. Second elongated cavity 124 may likewise extend lengthwise into body 120 from second opening 122 at top surface 110. First elongated cavity 120 and second elongated cavity 124 may thus each hold at least one smokable product for a period of time until a user is ready to smoke or otherwise remove the product.

In various embodiments of the invention, first elongated cavity 120 and/or second elongated cavity 124 may also advantageously include a user-activated electric or other type of heating element at the bottom thereof (not shown in FIG. 1). This may allow a user to cause a smokable product deposited in the elongated cavity to be ignited/combusted at the corresponding bottom end thereof while it is supported by the elongated cavity. This may be advantageous not only because of the convenience of lighting the smokable product in the very location where it is presently stored, but also because the need to carry a separate lighter by the user is obviated.

The heating element may be powered by a power source such as a rechargeable battery (not shown in FIG. 1) also disposed within body 120. The heating element may be activated by user interface element 116, and a status of both the power source and the heating element may be reflected by visual indicator 112. Other functions may possibly be controlled or reflected by user interface element 116 or visual indicator 112, respectively.

In some embodiments, body 102 may include only one elongated cavity with a heating element at the bottom thereof, while in other embodiments, multiple cavities may be present, but any number from one to all of the cavities may include a heating element at the bottom thereof. In some embodiments, a single heating element may service multiple cavities, perhaps by spanning through a space in body 102 at the bottoms of each serviced cavity. In some embodiments, one or more of the elongated cavities may be removable, and/or closable via a removable cover or an attached movable cover (i.e., a hinged or fully detachable cover).

As discussed above, top surface 110 may include at least one user interface element 116 and at least one visual indicator 112. User interface element 116 may allow a user to control various functions of case 100, and visual indicator 112 may allow a user to determine various operational states of case 100 by receiving feedback therefrom.

In this example, user interface element 116 may be a button, but in other embodiments a switch or other input device may be employed. Also in this example, visual indicator 112 may be a light, but in other embodiments may alternatively be replaced with an audible indicator (i.e., speaker, beeper, buzzer, etc.).

As an example of possible operation, when a user activates user interface element 116, the heating element may be activated by a circuitry component (not shown in FIG. 1) within body 102 which causes power to be provided to the heating element. Accordingly, visual indicator 112 may at that time provide a first indication that the heating element has been activated. For example, visual indicator 112 may be lit in one color, and be presented in either a solid or blinking manner.

Upon the circuitry component and a temperature sensor (not shown in FIG. 1) determining that a particular temperature has been reached by the heating element, visual indicator 112 may provide a second indication, and power to the heating element may cease to be provided. The second indication may change at least one of its lit/unlit state, its color, and/or whether it is presenting in a solid or blinking manner. The particular temperature may be set at manufacture to be a temperature at which combustion of a smokable product will occur. Thus, this second indication by the visual indicator 112 will reflect that the smokable product is lit and ready to be consumed by the user. The user will then remove the smokable product and enjoy.

Visual indicator 112 may also provide further indications. A third, fourth, or other additional indication may be presented to indicate the heating element has begun cooling, is currently cooling, or has reached an ambient temperature, as controlled by the circuitry component and temperature sensor.

Indications may also be provided to a user using an external device, such as a mobile device. For example, instead of or in addition to providing indications via visual indicator 112, a circuitry component within body 102 may transmit data associated with an indication to an external device to be outputted on a display, such as an application or web browser operating on a mobile or other device. A user may interact with case 100 by providing an input at the external device, such as a selection associated with the notification to cause case 100 to provide or cease a function described herein. In one example, a user may provide an input causing a heating element to continue to heat or cool, for example to a specific inputted temperature. The particular temperature at which the heating element is programmed to reach upon initial activation may also be adjusted in such manner.

In some embodiments, as in this example, top surface 110 may also include a recharging interface 114 thereby allowing the power source within body 102, which powers the electric heating element and other components therein, to be recharged. Recharging interface 114 may be one of a variety of different types of charging interfaces, such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0, micro USB, USB type C, lightning connector, among others. The power source may thus be a rechargeable power source in many embodiments.

In some embodiments, recharging interface 114 may also allow the power source within body to provide power to a device external to body 102 (i.e., in a reverse manner compared to charging of a power source within body 102). In some embodiments, recharging interface 114 may also be used to communicate data between an external device and components of case 100. Merely by way of example, an application or web browser on a computer or mobile device may communicate with the circuitry components of body 102 to adjust the temperature at which the heating element ceases activation, or to determine the health or status of the power source or other components within body 102.

The indications presented by visual indicator 112 may also be configurable or programmable using user interface element 116, using a remote device such as a mobile phone or computer wired or wirelessly connected to case 100, and/or via communication through recharging interface 114. For example, certain patterns of activation of user interface element 116 (i.e., a specific number of button presses within a short time) could cause case 100 to respond differently to future interactions with user interface element 116, and/or change the temperatures which heating element ceases activation.

In embodiments with heating elements in multiple cavities, different interactions with user interface element 116 may be employed to selectively activate particular heating elements in different cavities. For example, different interactions could refer to the length of button presses, and/or patterns of series of button presses. Visual indicator 112 may also be configured in such embodiments to reflect which cavity's heating element has been activated, perhaps by blinking a number of times to reflect which numbered cavity has had its heating element activated (i.e., the cavities may be numbered with visual indicators in such embodiments).

In some embodiments, body 102 may be made of and/or include thermal insulation in strategic locations to prevent or slow dissipation of heat from any heating element to other portions of case 100. Thus, while the heating element inside body 102 is designed to heat up quickly for convenience of use, a thermal insulator may prevent heat from rapidly exiting from the associated cavity and damaging other components of case 100 and/or injuring the user. The thermal insulator may insulate an entire cavity or only a portion of a cavity, such as a bottom or lower portion (i.e., the portion closest to the heating element) of the cavity. The thermal insulator may also surround at least portions of the heating element(s).

FIG. 2 illustrates case 100 with top 104 in a closed position, according to embodiments of the present invention. Top 104 may also include a handle indentation 202, which allows for a user to more easily grip top 104 and open it with respect to body 102.

A ferrous material may be provided within either body 102 or top 140 at a periphery of interface 106, perhaps near handle indentation 202, and a corresponding magnetic material may be provided at an adjacent position within top 104 or body 102, respectively. Thus, in these embodiments, when top 104 is closed, and the ferrous material and magnetic material are in proximity to each other, top 104 will be biased towards the closed position compared to the open position.

In other embodiments, a latch mechanism which employs movable parts, or flexible materials may be employed to provide a more positive closure system between body 102 and top 104. In yet other embodiments, an active locking system using either a combination lock, miniature key lock, magnetic key operated lock, or other system may be provided.

In order to prevent any outside matter (e.g., liquid, air, etc.) from contacting top surface 110 of body 102, and the components/cavities thereon, interface 106 may be sealed to various degrees when top 104 is in the closed position. For example, the interface may be water resistant, waterproof, and/or airtight, depending on the embodiment. This may be accomplished through the use of a gasket, other sealing mechanism for interfaces, and/or a tight interference fit between body 102 and top 104 when closed. This may prevent the electrical components and smokable products within case 100 from being damaged by intrusion of such contaminants, and may also prevent odors associated with stored smokable products from escaping case 100.

In some embodiments, case 100 may include a second additional top designed to be disposed onto top surface 110, and within the space between body 102 and top 104. Merely by way of example, the secondary top may conceal all portions of top surface 110, but include a recharging interface on its top side which operationally couples with recharging interface 114 on its bottom side. In this manner recharging interface 114 provides a manner for the secondary top to be coupled with body 102 and held in place. The secondary top could also couple with body 102 via an interference fit with the cavities, etc.

Additionally, the secondary top would conceal the nature of various components in body 102 on top surface 110 from an observer when discreteness is desired, and makes case 100 appear as though it is simply a rechargeable power source to unknowing onlookers. A seal at the interface of the secondary top and the top surface 110 (i.e., on the bottom of the secondary top) may be provided to further protect the components of body 102, while also preventing odors associated with the smokable products from escaping case 100. Top 104 may be configured to close over and around such secondary top.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of operable components of one example embodiment of the invention. As described above, body 102 may include first opening 118 which provides access to first cavity 120, and second opening 122 which provides access to second cavity 124. Smokable products may be stored in each cavity 120, 124.

At the bottom of first cavity 120, an electric heating element 302 (e.g., ceramic heating element) may be provided. An upward side 304 of heating element 302 may include or define a depression or aperture 306. Depression or aperture 306 may receive the end/tip of a smokable product. Depression or aperture 306 may encourage a smokable product to be disposed therein when the smokable product is disposed in first cavity 120, and increase the likelihood of combustion thereof when heating element 302 is activated.

Although heating element 440 is referred to herein as an electric heating element, heating element 440 may include different types of heating elements. For example, electric heating element 440 may be replaced by a plasma ignition/heating system. For example, an end of an elongated cavity may include a device which creates one or more arcs of plasma between two or more electrodes, where the plasma is ignited and then used to light the end of a smokable product. In another embodiment, electric heating element 440 may be replaced by a wick system which, when combined with lighter fluid delivery system, providing butane or naphtha for example, may be lit with fire and configured to light the end of the smokable product.

A temperature sensor 308 may be provided at or in proximity to heating element 302, thereby allowing case 100 to determine when heating element 302 has reached the appropriate temperature for combustion to occur. Temperature sensor 308 may be directly coupled to electric heating element 302, indirectly through another device, or may be physically separated from electric heating element 302. For example, temperature sensor 308 may detect a temperature of electric heating element 302 when spaced at a distance away from electric heating element 302. A thermal insulator 310 may be disposed about at least a portion of first cavity 120, or any other cavity located in case 100, to protect the remainder of case 100 from rapid heat dissipation from the heating process through case 100. Thermal insulator 310 may insulate an entire cavity or only a portion of a cavity, such as a bottom or lower portion (i.e., the portion closest to the heating element) of the cavity. The thermal insulator may provide apertures therethrough to connect heating element 302 to related components, when thermal insulator 310 also surrounds heating element 302.

Also shown in FIG. 3 are user interface element 116, visual indicator 112, and charging interface 114. A circuitry component 312 may electrically couple user interface element 116, visual indicator 112, recharging interface 114, heating element 302, and temperature sensor 308 with power source 314. Circuitry component 312 can include any solid or non-solid state components, wiring, programmed or programmable components, and/or other electrical/electronic components necessary to effectuate the functions described herein.

Thus, circuitry component 312, along with temperature sensor 308, provide a temperature control system to effectuate causing heating element 302 to rise to a particular predefined temperature upon activation via user interface element 116. Likewise, circuitry component 312, along with visual indicator 112, provide a visual feedback system capable of indicating to a user, via any number of possible color/lit/unlit/blinking variations, the current state of any operation of the components of case 100. These operations may include whether or not power source 314 has sufficient charge to operate (e.g., when the rechargeable battery is in a low power state), and/or the current power level thereof.

The temperature control system may also provide case 100 with “smart” technology by collecting temperature and other data associated with case 100 over time and automatically adjusting the particular predefined temperature. For example, the temperature sensor 308 or a different type of sensor may detect data associated with when a smokable product in a cavity of case 100 combusts and smolders over time across multiple uses of case 100 (as either informed by a user using a remote application/web browser, or via user interface element 116), and the temperature control system may automatically adjust the particular predefined temperature accordingly.

In some embodiments, circuitry component 312 may also include a charging circuit to facilitate charging of power source 314, if the recharging circuit is not provided by upstream circuitry present in the devices coupled with charging interface 114.

Circuitry component 312 may also provide the functionality/programming necessary to allow more complex interactions between a user and case 100. For example, a Bluetooth, WiFi, or other wireless circuit may be provided to allow for communication with case 100 to control or modify the functioning thereof. As previously described, this may include adjusting the temperature to which heating element 302 rises to during activation, and/or the colors or behavior of visual indicator 112 in response to operations of case 100. Wired communication with remote devices may also be provided by circuitry component 312 via charging interface 114.

As also described, power source 314 may also provide for the capability of charging devices attached to charging interface 114. In such embodiments, circuitry component 312 may also provide the charging circuity therefor.

The invention has now been described in detail for the purposes of clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A case for tobacco and other smokable products, wherein the case comprises: a body, wherein: the body defines a first elongated cavity; the first elongated cavity extends lengthwise into the body from a first opening at a top surface of the body; and the body comprises: a power source; an electric heating element disposed at a bottom of the first elongated cavity; and a user interface element at the top surface, wherein the user interface element is configured to selectively cause the power source to activate the electric heating element; and a top, wherein the top is hingedly coupled with the body proximate to an edge of the top surface such that: when the top is rotated to a closed position the top surface of the body is inaccessible to a user; and when the top is rotated to an open position the top surface of the body is accessible to the user.
 2. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein: the body further defines a second elongated cavity, distinct from the first elongated cavity; and the second elongated cavity extends lengthwise into the body from a second opening at the top surface of the body.
 3. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein: the power source comprises a rechargeable battery; and the body further comprises a recharging interface at the top surface, wherein the recharging interface is coupled with the rechargeable battery.
 4. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises: a temperature control device configured to deactivate the electric heating element upon the electric heating element rising to a particular temperature.
 5. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein: when the top is rotated to the closed position, an interface between the body and the top is water resistant.
 6. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein: when the top is rotated to the closed position, an interface between the body and the top is airtight.
 7. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein the electric heating element comprises: a ceramic heating element.
 8. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein: the electric heating element comprises: the electric heating element defines a depression or an aperture on an upward side thereof
 9. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein: the body further comprises a thermal insulator; and the body defining the first elongated cavity comprises the thermal insulator defining at least a lower portion of the first elongated cavity.
 10. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises: a thermal insulator disposed about the first elongated cavity.
 11. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises: a visual feedback system comprising a visual indicator at the top surface, wherein the visual feedback system is configured to cause the visual indicator to indicate when the electric heating element is activated.
 12. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 11, wherein: the power source comprises a rechargeable battery; and the visual feedback system is further configured to cause the visual indicator to indicate when the rechargeable battery is in a low power state.
 13. A case for tobacco and other smokable products, wherein the case comprises: a body, wherein: the body defines a first elongated cavity; the first elongated cavity extends lengthwise into the body from a first opening at a top surface of the body; and the body comprises: a power source; an electric heating element disposed at a bottom of the first elongated cavity; a user interface element at the top surface; and a circuitry component configured to cause the power source to activate the electric heating element upon a user activating the user interface element; and a top, wherein the top is hingedly coupled with the body proximate to an edge of the top surface such that: when the top is rotated to a closed position the top surface of the body is inaccessible to the user; and when the top is rotated to an open position the top surface of the body is accessible to the user.
 14. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 13, wherein: the power source comprises a rechargeable battery; the body further comprises a recharging interface at the top surface; and the circuitry component is further configured to cause the rechargeable battery to be recharged upon power being provided to the recharging interface.
 15. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 14, wherein: the body further comprises visual indicator at the top surface; and the circuitry component is further configured to cause the visual indicator to indicate when the rechargeable battery is in a low power state.
 16. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 13, wherein: the body further comprises a temperature sensor; and the circuitry component is further configured to deactivate the electric heating element upon the electric heating element rising to a particular temperature.
 17. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 13, wherein: the body further comprises visual indicator at the top surface; and the circuitry component is further configured to cause the visual indicator to indicate when the electric heating element is activated.
 18. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 13, wherein: the electric heating element defines a depression or an aperture in an upward side thereof
 19. A case for tobacco and other smokable products, wherein the case comprises: a body, wherein: the body defines a first elongated cavity; the body defines a second elongated cavity, distinct from the first elongated cavity; the first elongated cavity extends lengthwise into the body from a first opening at a top surface of the body; the second elongated cavity extends lengthwise into the body from a second opening at the top surface of the body; and the body comprises: a rechargeable power source; an electric heating element disposed at a bottom of the first elongated cavity; a user interface element at the top surface, wherein the user interface element is configured to selectively cause the rechargeable power source to activate the electric heating element; and a recharging interface at the top surface and coupled with the rechargeable power source; and a top, wherein the top is hingedly coupled with the body proximate to an edge of the top surface such that: when the top is rotated to a closed position the top surface of the body is inaccessible to the user; and when the top is rotated to an open position the top surface of the body is accessible to the user.
 20. The case for tobacco and other smokable products of claim 19, wherein the case further comprises: a circuitry component, wherein: the user interface element being configured to selectively cause the rechargeable power source to activate the electric heating element comprises the circuitry component being configured to cause the rechargeable power source to activate the electric heating element upon the user activating the user interface element; and the recharging interface being coupled with the rechargeable power source comprises the recharging interface being coupled with the circuitry component, and the circuitry component being coupled with the rechargeable power source. 